Imperialism of Britain and the United States
Imperialism of Britain and the United States:
Empire by Obligation
When one hears the term imperialism, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the vast British Empire, expanding all around the world, spreading culture, beliefs and ideas. Or perhaps the United States of America, plunging ever deeper into the vast continent, opening up land for settlement by its people. England is known for its military involvement in the countries it colonized; openly using military force on all those who opposed its policy. The US on the other hand, tries to appear as though it uses a more civilized policy to accomplish goals, but truthfully was only denying the facts. After my analysis of both countries activities during the 19th and early 20th centuries I have come to a resounding truth: No matter the exact policy used by both nations, both justified it with the same obligation: the obligation of higher races to bring civilization to barbaric peoples.
British Imperialism Great Britain made no attempt to hide her aggressiveness when it came to total exploitation of her colonies. This seems most evident in the smuggling of opium into China. Until the 1820’s the favor had remained with the Chinese in regard to trade, for they had little to gain from European countries. But when England began the smuggling of opium, grown in the English colony of India, this was dramatically reversed.1
In 1839, Lin Tse-Hsu wrote a letter to Queen Victoria dealing with the issue of the smuggling of opium. In the letter he regards England as “an honorable country…noted for their politeness and submissiveness.”2 He then states the fact that there are smugglers in a way that gives room for the idea that maybe the Queen did not already know of them. Before asking for an end to the practice, he points out the fact that he believes that “All those people in China who sell opium or smoke opium should receive the death penalty.”2 He asks “where is your conscience?”2 and then goes on to
Empire by Obligation
When one hears the term imperialism, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the vast British Empire, expanding all around the world, spreading culture, beliefs and ideas. Or perhaps the United States of America, plunging ever deeper into the vast continent, opening up land for settlement by its people. England is known for its military involvement in the countries it colonized; openly using military force on all those who opposed its policy. The US on the other hand, tries to appear as though it uses a more civilized policy to accomplish goals, but truthfully was only denying the facts. After my analysis of both countries activities during the 19th and early 20th centuries I have come to a resounding truth: No matter the exact policy used by both nations, both justified it with the same obligation: the obligation of higher races to bring civilization to barbaric peoples.
British Imperialism Great Britain made no attempt to hide her aggressiveness when it came to total exploitation of her colonies. This seems most evident in the smuggling of opium into China. Until the 1820’s the favor had remained with the Chinese in regard to trade, for they had little to gain from European countries. But when England began the smuggling of opium, grown in the English colony of India, this was dramatically reversed.1
In 1839, Lin Tse-Hsu wrote a letter to Queen Victoria dealing with the issue of the smuggling of opium. In the letter he regards England as “an honorable country…noted for their politeness and submissiveness.”2 He then states the fact that there are smugglers in a way that gives room for the idea that maybe the Queen did not already know of them. Before asking for an end to the practice, he points out the fact that he believes that “All those people in China who sell opium or smoke opium should receive the death penalty.”2 He asks “where is your conscience?”2 and then goes on to